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Mariners announce plans for 'Edgar's' restaurant

Mariners announce plans for 'Edgar's' restaurant

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An artist's rendering of the new "Edgar's" restaurant and lounge area at Safeco Field.

By Greg Johns
/
MLB.com |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Edgar Martinez already has a street named after him outside Safeco Field, but now the former Mariners star will be a part of the stadium's interior, as well. The club announced plans on Tuesday to install an open-air "Edgar's" restaurant in the left-field corner, as part of the new outfield construction for next season.

With the hand-operated scoreboard down the left-field line being relocated as part of the shortened fences, the Mariners are removing 384 seats in that same area and putting in a lounge and dining area similar to The 'Pen section in center field.

The restaurant will have a "South of the Border" flavor and will feature occasional appearances by the Mariners' Hall of Famer and also include the mezcal liquor, Zac, that Martinez has been marketing the last two years in partnership with hair salon mogul Gene Juarez.

"Being asked to be part of this new project at Safeco Field is a great honor," Martinez said. "Safeco Field is already one of the best ballparks in baseball, and the new restaurant and lounge will only make it better. I hope the fans have a good time at Edgar's."

The Safeco Field fences are being brought in between four feet and 17 feet in left field, left-center and right-center field. Additionally, the removal of the hand-operated scoreboard that has been part of the left-field fence down the line will make the fence a uniform eight-feet high all the way around the outfield.

Fly balls that previously clanked off the 16-foot-high scoreboard in the corner will now sail as home runs into "Edgar's" restaurant, which will be open on a first-come, first-served basis to all ticketed Safeco Field fans as soon as the gates to the park open for each game.

The area will also contain a lounge area, much like The 'Pen, where fans can buy refreshments and hang out before and during games. The 1,100-square-foot area will be accessible from the main concourse.

The hand-operated scoreboard will be relocated to a new façade above its old location in front of Sections 151 and 152.

Mariners account managers have been working with season-ticket holders in the two affected seating sections to relocate them to other areas of the park.

The lounge area will have a Latin-themed menu, similar to the Flying Turtle Cantina that has been located in the same area the past three years.

"Working together with our local consulting chef, Ethan Stowell, we created a taqueria featuring what we call Northwest Mex, classic tacos like carne asada and carnitas built from locally sourced ingredients, a best-of-both-worlds type deal," said John Sergi, the chief design officer of Centerplate, the Mariners' hospitality partner. "To wash it down, we'll feature South of the Border beers at the Cerveceria."

The restaurant and lounge are part of a $15 million capital improvement plan for the ballpark for 2013 that also includes the new fences as well as a huge new video board in center field that will be the largest in Major League Baseball.

All the improvements are scheduled to be completed before the home opener on April 8 against the Astros.